STORYLINE: An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman see the value of his own life. (IMDb)

    The 1940’s saw the release of some classic holiday features. The Bishop’s Wife (1947), Christmas in Connecticut (1945), Holiday Inn (1942), and Miracle on 34th St (1947) to name a few.  Of course, there is the timeless classic It’s A Wonderful Life, from 1946.

    It is no coincidence that today is Christmas Eve 2025, and this holiday classic screened, for a sold out audience.  The audience was excited for the film, as indicated by the applause when the lights dimmed for the opening credits. Things grew quite, as everyone was invested in the the holiday tale.  Thunderous applause broke out after the hundred and thirty one minute runtime expired.   Viewers of all ages left the auditorium, chatting pleasurably about the seventy nine year old motion picture. 

   That’s the great thing about the movies, the ability to bring friends, family, and strangers together to share a few pleasurable hours together.  Today’s screening was exactly that, a pleasurable experience shared hy a hundred and some people, the majority of whom did not know one another.

   I enjoy when the audience is into the movie. That’s why, the Christmas Eve showing of It’s a Wonderful Life is always a favorite of my moviegoing year.  It normally sells out, to an audience that enjoys being in attendance. This year’s showing was no exception to that. 

   Year after year, I am drawn to the charm of It’s A Wonderful Life.  It’s hard to think of another film telling the story of rediscovering yourself better, then this one.  It is a feel good movie, for all the right reasons.  It’s hopeful, uplifting, good wins on the end, and has a timeless message.  Ok, I het how much that sounds like a movie that the Hallmark Channel would air.

  I throughly enjoyed myself while watching It’s A Wonderful Life, this Christmas Eve. 

   Until next time I will see you at the movies. 

This Retro Rewind concludes my Holiday Retro Rewind Series.  The entire series:

THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004)

THE ADDAMS FAMILY VALIES (1993)

THE HOLIDAY (2006)

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT(1945)

HOME ALONE (1990)

ELF (2003)

MIRACLE ON 34th ST (1947)

SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964)

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000)

THE GRINCH (2018)

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)